Brandon Medical has begun the transition to adopt the newly established ‘Scan4Safety’ initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Health.
The £12 m project aims to improve accuracy and efficiency within the NHS to enhance patient safety, saving an estimated £1 bn over seven years via the use of GS1 and PEPPOL-compliant barcode technology.
The Leeds-based medical technology company has completed a Statement of Commitment for the Department of Health, and the company meets GS1 and PEPPOL eProcurement standards. Brandon explained: “GS1 standards harness product and location coding and data synchronisation, whereas PEPPOL standards relate to purchase, dispatch, and invoice processes. Combined, these standards improve organisation and transparency for suppliers, making it easier for companies to do business with the NHS.”
Under the Scan4Safety programme barcodes will be placed on everything from breast implants to surgical tools, enabling subsequent traceability of, for example, surgical instruments discovered to be defective post-use. NHS staff will also be able to record patients’ medication and equipment using barcodes on wristbands.
Brandon is developing the barcode requirement for all its Class I medical devices – examination lights, minor surgical lights, operating theatre lights, and spares. The company added: “We have assigned GS1 UK-generated GTINs and GLNs to all of our product range, and will create barcodes in the near future when we have upgraded our ERP system.”
